Covid testing measures introduced in response to the Omicron variant weakened demand for international travel, figures for January released by Manchester Airports Group show.
Passenger numbers were down 63.1% on the same month in pre-pandemic 2019, which was significantly quieter than the recovery seen last autumn.
However, volumes bounced back quickly in the days following the government’s announcement on January 24 that Covid testing on arrival for fully vaccinated travellers would be scrapped from today (Friday) and continue to build as half-term holidays approach.
The owner of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports expects to handle almost 1.5 million passengers between February 11–27, against just 73,000 over the same period in 2021.
The total airline seat capacity across the three airports is around 20% higher for February and March than January.
The airports operator now expects February half-term to be one of its busiest periods since the pandemic began, as passengers respond to the removal of testing requirements and take advantage of a return to restriction-free travel.
MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish said: “It’s great that passengers are clearly feeling more confident as we go into February half term, and we expect our airports to be busier than we have seen in recent months.
“We welcomed the government’s decision to reintroduce restriction-free travel in time for the holidays. Airlines are now putting on more seats and there’s a real sense of excitement for travel as we head into the summer season.”
MAG is recruiting for hundreds of new roles across its three airports with travel recovery set to build towards the summer.